Colombia Travel Guide

Browse 249 travel reviews, 344 travel blogs and 14,707 travel photos from real travelers to Colombia.

People Traveling To Colombia

Colombia Locals

Colombia Overview

Long considered a dangerous country to travel due to decades of civil war and bloodshed, Colombia has only recently become a safe haven for travelers. As a result, there are a wide variety of opportunities to be taken advantage of in this country, ranging from modern cities with accommodations to rival the most luxurious within the West, to pristine Caribbean beaches, safaris in the Amazon jungle, colonial architecture and history, coffee plantations, archaeological treasures, and much, much more. Still, despite recent increases in safety and security, cautious travelers should always be awareread more of the dangers in any country, regardless of its location in the world.

Colombia boasts a versatile range of climates and topography. With borders on both the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean there are a variety of beaches to choose from, as well as the Amazon jungle and river, and the rugged northern reaches of the Andes Mountains. An equatorial country, Colombia is generally humid and tropic, although the furthest reaches of the mountains can be a bit more arid.

Bogota is arguably one of the most famous Colombian cities for visitors, and it is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Latin America’s urban life. Home to more than 7 million people, the capital boasts a historic center featuring a wide range of churches and museums, and a dizzying array of cafés and restaurants will have your tongue dancing to the Latin American beat within moments. However, Colombia isn't just about cities or colonial history. The country is home to some of South America’s most prestigious national parks, which are the perfect opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts.

Accommodations and transport will vary depending on what part of the country you're in, but as a general rule of thumb it’s wise to avoid renting a car, and instead rely upon public transportation. Still a bit rough around the edges, Colombia is moving into the modern world after decades of being held back.

Bogota #1 most popular location
Are you picturing an underhand drug deal and street gangs at the mere thought of Colombia? Bogota can be a little on the shady side, though the vast majority of the illicit activity takes pla…
305travelers 62reviews 70blogs
Cartagena #2 most popular location
Cartagena is a large Caribbean seaport on the north coast of Colombia and its most popular tourist destination. The city is noted for its impressive architecture, mixed ethnicity and a sumptu…
109travelers 40reviews 47blogs
Medellin #3 most popular location
Smaller than Bogota and situated in the Aburrá valley, surrounded by beautiful mountains, Medellín is one of the newest and most modern large cities in South America. Once the home of the …
106travelers 36reviews 51blogs
Cali #4 most popular location
Cali, the third largest city in Colombia is located in the Cauca valley in Western Colombia. It is bordered on the west by the cordillera occidental, or Western Mountain Range and on the east…
67travelers 28reviews 16blogs
Santa Marta #5 most popular location
This city right by the beach is a stop over to great beaches and the lost city jungle track. Here you will find busy markets, some night life with busy working girls and a nice strip on the b…
14travelers 13reviews 14blogs
Barranquilla #6 most popular location
Barranquilla is a beautiful city located next to Grand River Magdalena. Has some big malls with branded factory outlets. People are warm, friendly and open to recieve others. Barranquilla …
32travelers 7reviews 2blogs
Taganga #7 most popular location
From Santa Marta you take a 20 minute bus ride to Taganga and you leave behind a busy city to enter a quite, charming fishers town with a couple of secluded beaches and all the peace you are …
2travelers 10reviews 22blogs
Manizales #8 most popular location
A pleasant break from the hustle and bustle of larger cities like Medellin, Bogota and Cali, Manizales is located in the heart of Zona Cafeteria. Whereas many other cities are situated in val…
8travelers 4reviews 7blogs
Popayan #9 most popular location
Popayan is a city still living like the colonial times.. very well preserved buildings, beautifully lightened narrow streets and warm blooded people makes this little city worth to visit. …
9reviews 6blogs
Leticia #10 most popular location
Leticia is a small town of approximately 37,000 inhabitants situated on the left bank of the Amazon River. City belongs to Columbia but it is separated from Brazilian city of Tabatinga by one…
2travelers 4reviews 5blogs
Salento #11 most popular location
3travelers 2reviews 7blogs
San Gil #12 most popular location
San Gil is a quiet and charming town. It is cool place to visit and spend some time. The adventure tourism trade is beginning to take off and offers rafting, canoeing and paragliding among ot…
1travelers 2reviews 2blogs
Pasto #13 most popular location
3travelers 2reviews 8blogs
Ciudad Perdida #14 most popular location
2travelers 1reviews 6blogs
Zipaquira #15 most popular location
Zipaquirá is a charming town located 48 km north of Bogotá. The main square is surrounded by old Spanish Colonial style buildings. It has fantastic bakeries! Above the town, on Zipa hill…
1reviews 3blogs
Villa de Leiva #16 most popular location
2reviews 2blogs
Mompos #17 most popular location
5reviews 1blogs
Santa Elena #18 most popular location
When your in Colombia and South America make sure your reading about the right location, there seems to be more than one Santa Elena in Colombia. the one i know is in the hills above Medellin…
1travelers 3reviews 1blogs
Guatape #19 most popular location
3blogs
San Augustin #20 most popular location
3blogs